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You are here: Home / Archives for Beacon

Beacon

The Beacon is our fellowship newsletter.

We shifted from .pdfs and hard copy to online articles at the beginning of 2019.  To view older Beacon articles, visit the pdf archive library.

Justice Spotlight on Accessibility

July 21, 2022 by el

By Georgia Lance, UUFF Member since 1995

One of the distinctions UUFF is proud of is being a welcoming congregation. We had discussions, attended trainings and had speakers on the issue of being an inclusive congregation for LGBTQ+ people. Some of us would like to add the distinction of being a welcoming congregation for folks with disabilities. Several of us have recently formed a working group to attempt this very task. We are hoping to raise awareness, educate and help fellow members find simple ways they can help in making people with disabilities feel welcome in our fellowship.

I’d like to give a shout out to Gene Vinzant for listening to our concerns about aisles being left clutter fear and wide enough for those of us in either walkers or wheelchairs. I’ve seen great improvement in this area these last couple of months.

How to deal with service dogs is an issue I witnessed during our annual Pride Service. We had two women, one in a large electric wheelchair, with good sized service dogs, trying to cram themselves into a narrow space. It would have been a simple matter to have removed two chairs from the row behind them and give them enough space for their service animals. I suspect if anyone had offered to do that for them, they would have been very grateful.

Another disability issue we have in our congregation is both children’s and adult religious education is located downstairs, which is inaccessible to those of us in walkers or wheelchairs.
The sidewalk located on the lower level requires walking down and back up a steep incline, which is not possible for many of us. In a nutshell, the lower level of our building is off limits for some members of our fellowship. I have seen mothers carrying their children up and down the steep staircase because the children are unable to walk the stairs.

This past Sunday, three of us did a physical audit of our building and grounds, using materials from UUA, to see what is working in our building and what isn’t. We are hoping to help people understand that access for people with disabilities is a social justice issue along with the others our denomination has championed over the years. We are also hoping others will join us in exploring ways we can become a welcoming congregation for people with disabilities.

Filed Under: Beacon, Justice

We’re in the news, again!

April 4, 2022 by el

Special thanks to our inspiring guest during the April 3rd service, trans singer-songwriter Skylar Conover, who shared with us her story and music. UUFF and Skylar were featured on the evening news!

View the segment:
NWA trans woman shares her journey through music (KNWA Fox 24)

Filed Under: Beacon

Local church supports Ukraine by learning and singing Ukrainian National Anthem

March 9, 2022 by el

UUFF and our very own music director extraordinaire Renée Janski was featured in local news Channel 5 for showing support to Ukraine by singing the Ukrainian National Anthem during Sunday service. Watch the news clip below:

(You can also head over to 5 News online to view the video.)

Filed Under: Beacon, News Media

View a sermon clip from the February 6 service “No Half Saviour”

March 1, 2022 by el

Filed Under: Beacon

August News from the Board – including Annex Property Vote Results

August 25, 2021 by el

At the July 29th Board of Directors meeting, we planned the August 1st Congregational Meeting that was held after service via zoom. Meeting purpose is to present the findings from discussions with building inspectors, realtors, architects and an engineer that led us to propose that UUFF sell the Annex Property in order to provide funds in the coming years to repair and maintain the main Fellowship building.

At the congregational meeting, Leanda explained the details of the inspector’s report on the Annex building. Elizabeth reviewed our current financial status, and Joe gave an overview of the options available to us at this time. Fawn sent out informational emails/paper mailings as appropriate (as some members are unable to use internet) with paper/online ballots to vote.

According to our By-Laws, a two-thirds majority vote by UUFF members is required to sell UUFF land or buildings. As we discussed in the congregational meeting on August 1st, the Board proposed that we sell the annex property and earmark the proceeds from the sale for maintenance of and/or improvements to the main building. The recommendation by the Board to list the Annex Property for sale came after 2+ years of discussion and careful study of UUFF’s financial situation and our current needs and from recognizing (following a thorough professional inspection report) that the annex building, as it stands, is not only unfit for use, but is a liability and safety hazard.

Of our 100 verified UUFF members, eighty-nine (89) total voted – with seventy-nine (79) voting to approve listing the annex property for sale, four voting to not approve, and six abstaining from voting. Sixty-seven (67) votes were required to pass, so the proposal has passed.

As discussed during the congregational meeting, this listing/selling process will be handled thoughtfully, and the Board will explore the different options carefully in consideration of our UU principles.

Thanks to everyone who voted.

Burnetta Hinterthuer, Board President

Filed Under: Beacon

Analysis of Needs and Preferences After Rev. Jim’s Retirement

May 12, 2021 by el

The Ministerial Transition Team (MTT) has finished their analysis of UUFF needs and preferences for proceeding after Rev. Jim retires on June 30th.

The MTT, under the leadership of Kate Kowalski, worked diligently to prepare these recommendations, and we are confident that they reflect the will of the membership and that they can be carried out. A Search Committee is forming and will develop the plan to find qualified candidates who are able to carry out these identifiable responsibilities. MTT based their recommendation on input received from UUFF members from the survey and focus groups, and from conducting a thorough review of UUFF’s overall financial picture.

The final review presented to the Board on April 22, 2021, revealed that:

  • We will be hiring a contract, part-time minister in the coming months; until that time, the Chalice Team will continue to provide services by using our talented staff plus gracious volunteers who have kept our services strong throughout the covid crisis. Yearly funds for guest ministers and musicians are available as needed.
  • The minister will be expected to provide two full-length sermons a month plus attend one additional service, carry out administrative duties including attending Board meetings, staying in contact with the Chalice Team, plus providing pastoral care and other related activities.

We are so grateful for the great work performed by the MTT and their delivering the final recommendations to us as soon as possible.

Burnetta Hinterthuer
UUFF Board President

To read the complete MTT analysis review document, please CLICK HERE.

Filed Under: Beacon

Chalice Stories – “Playing Fair” the 5th Principle

December 9, 2020 by Fawn Smith

Our 5th installment of Chalice Stories is a story about the 5th listed Principle: The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large or “All People Need a Vote.”

Our story is “Playing Fair” from Janeen Grohsmeyer’s book “a lamp in every corner: our unitarian universalist story book,” and it will be for Thursday’s Chalica celebration of our Principles. Light a Chalice, and enjoy!

Filed Under: Beacon, Minister's Blog, Principles and Sources Tagged With: Chalica, Chalice Stories, Principles, Unitarian Universalism

Chalice Stories – Our 4th Principle

December 9, 2020 by Fawn Smith

Our Fourth Principle, or Wednesday Chalica installment of Chalice Stories. Illustrating the UU Principles using Janeen Grohsmeyer’s book “a lamp in every corner: our unitarian universalist story book.” This Video’s story is “The Race to the Top of the Tree”

Filed Under: Beacon, Children/Youth RE, Minister's Blog, Principles and Sources Tagged With: Chalice Stories, Principles, Unitarian Universalism

Chalice Stories – 3rd Principle

December 7, 2020 by Fawn Smith

Hi Y’all!

Here is our third installment of a Chalice Story to celebrate our Principles for Chalica! Our stories are from the book “a lamp in every corner” by Janeen K. Grohsmeyer, and this one is titled “The Rooster Who Learned to Crow,” illustrating our third listed Principle – Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations… or as the story puts it, “We’re free to learn together.”

So please, light a chalice or candle, enjoy the story, and contemplate how we work to help each other grow and learn, even though they may believe differently from ourselves!

Peace, Rev. Jim

Filed Under: Beacon, Children/Youth RE, Minister's Blog, Principles and Sources Tagged With: Principles, Unitarian Universalism

Chalice Stories – 2nd Principle

December 7, 2020 by Fawn Smith

Hi Y’all!

Here is the Chalice Story for our Second listed Principle – Justice, equity and compassion in human relations… or Be Kind in all You Do.

The Story is “The Excruciatingly Scrupulous Twins” by Janeen K. Grohsmeyer, from her book “a lamp in every corner.”

Light a Chalice, relax, and enjoy the story! Then discuss the second listed Principle and its meanings as you will. Love to hear your thoughts here if you wish.

Peace,Rev. Jim

Filed Under: Beacon, Children/Youth RE, Minister's Blog, Principles and Sources Tagged With: Chalica, Chalice Stories, Principles, Unitarian Universalism

Chalice Stories: First Principle – The Weight of a Snowflake

December 7, 2020 by Fawn Smith

Celebrating our Unitarian Universalist Principles at UU Fayetteville, AR, we’re using the stories from Janeen Grohsmeyer’s book “a lamp in every corner: Our Unitarian Universalist storybook” and her series on our Principles. We’ll have seven videos, and seven stories, for seven Principles. This story is about our First listed Principle – The Inherent Worth and Dignity of Every Person, or Each Person Is Important.

Filed Under: Beacon, Children/Youth RE, Minister's Blog, Principles and Sources Tagged With: Chalica, Chalice Stories, Principles, Unitarian Universalism

Gratitude Moment with Kate Kowaski

November 18, 2020 by el

Kate-Kowalski-headshot

A UUFF Gratitude Moment, shared during service on Sunday, November 8, 2020.

My name is Kate Kowalski and it is an honor to be invited to share some reflections with you today.

My first visit to UUFF was last year right about this time. I recall being moved by an inspiring Gratitude Moment that was shared and feeling the warmth and connection of this wonderful Fellowship. My family and I had just arrived in Fayetteville following our move from my home state of Wisconsin. My husband, Steve, had recently started a new position at the University so was becoming engaged in the campus and broader communities. Our daughter, Maggie, and I arrived several weeks later having never even visited the area. We weren’t sure what to expect, but were excited to start our new life. Our daughter, Natalie, was away at school in Illinois and she, too, had never been to the area.

One of the first things I did when Steve was first considering the job was to check to see if there was a Unitarian church in the area. Since I wasn’t planning to return to work, at least not right away, I knew I needed a source of connection with like-minded people. I had been attending the First Unitarian Society in Madison for a few years so knew it was the type of community I was in sync with. I was thrilled to find that there was indeed a UU church, although little did I know what a perfect fit and wonderful source of connection it would turn out to be.

Like many UU’s, I was raised in another faith tradition and, over the years, found my way to Unitarian Universalism. In my case, my spiritual journey began in the Catholic Church.
I attended Catholic grade school and received the sacraments most young Catholics receive…reconciliation, first communion, and confirmation. Steve and I were also married in a beautiful ceremony at the church on the campus of Marquette University. My Catholic roots run deep. Both of my parents were raised in devoutly Catholic homes and attended parochial schools. My dad had been an altar boy and my mom a novitiate in the convent of the School Sisters of St. Francis in Milwaukee. This is an order devoted to education and healthcare. She joined after high school, having attended Catholic grade schools and high school. But, as the time neared for her to take her final vows, my strong, courageous mother had determined that this wasn’t her life calling after all. So, she made the difficult and painful decision to kneel before the Mother Superior and explain that she had decided to leave the order, that she wanted her life to take a different path. I recall my mom saying that it was one of the most difficult things she ever had to do. She would go on to graduate with a degree in nursing from a small Catholic college operated by the same order of sisters she had just left. While she determined that life as a nun was not for her, she remained connected to the School Sisters of St. Francis for much of her life. She became the first lay Director of Nursing for a nursing home run by the order, and later, both she and my dad worked in leadership roles for a private psychiatric hospital also operated by the School Sisters of St. Francis…my mom in nursing and my dad as the pharmacist.

So, I grew up being in frequent contact with many of the sisters of the order. These interesting, accomplished, and competent women with odd names (Srs. Ellinda, Hugh, Beattis, Gothard, Pierre, Zachary, and others), were frequent dinner guests at our home and a few even looked after my brother and me when our parents went on a trip while we were in middle school. In fact, I remember my brother and I somewhat embarrassingly walking around the Wisconsin State Fair in the early 1970’s with Srs. Gothard and Zachary, garnering interesting looks as we explored the midway with them dressed in their habits.

The other notable thing I recall about these women is that they all held leadership roles at the hospital where my parents worked…administrator, assistant administrator, director of nursing, purchasing director, and the like. And yet, as women, they were marginalized within the structure of the church. Even as a young person, I was keenly aware of the male dominance and patriarchy of the church, and it never made sense or felt comfortable to me. As a result, I wasn’t sure the Catholic church was the right fit. Still, the connection was strong.

My first experience stepping out of the Catholic tradition and moving towards Unitarian Universalism came during my mid 20’s when I decided to give the First Unitarian Society of Milwaukee a try. I attended a few services and took part in an adult spiritual development series, and while I strongly connected with the principles on an intellectual level, it felt like something was missing. I missed the ritual of the mass.

In the meantime, other life events including a move to Australia, my return a couple of years later, meeting and marrying Steve, the birth of our daughters, work, and other commitments would take priority. Steve and I married in the Catholic church and decided to raise our girls in the faith. We did so, however, never intending that they would agree with or adopt all of the teachings, but rather as a foundation from which they would question and even rebel in order to sort out their own beliefs. They both participated in religious education through 8th grade at which point we gave them the option to decide whether to continue. You won’t be surprised to hear that both had determined that Catholic teachings weren’t consistent with their worldview, and neither decided to continue towards confirmation. The timing of this also coincided with the emerging recognition of the systemic nature of the sexual abuse crisis taking place and being covered up in the church. The devastating realization of the extent of the abuse was impossible for me to reconcile.

It was at that time that I decided to again give Unitarian Universalism a try, this time at the First Unitarian Society of Madison. FUS had a structure to the services very much like those here at UUFF that included enough ritual to satisfy the need I previously missed. It wasn’t long before I came to realize that I found a spiritual home that resonated with my core beliefs around equality, human dignity, social justice, democracy, and openness of thought. This was reinforced after I participated in FUS’s version of the new UU class and learned more about the principles and sources that serve as the foundation of the faith. It was difficult to leave, but I was comforted knowing that UUFF would be here when I arrived.

So, while I certainly felt some nervous twinges on my first few visits to UUFF, it wasn’t long before I felt welcomed and engaged. Attending a few ARE sessions definitely helped and solidified for me that I was in the right place. In fact, I spoke so positively of my experience that it wasn’t long before Steve decided to join me. He, too, quickly came to feel comfortable and at home.

While UUFF is a smaller fellowship than either of the two I previously attended, I immediately came to see this as something very positive. The intimate nature of UUFF allows for a level of connectedness that larger environments aren’t necessarily able to foster. And, the genuine warmth, friendliness, and commitment of the membership can’t be overstated. I continue to be impressed by the dedication of the many volunteers who work together collaboratively to create the inclusive and spirited environment here at UUFF, even in these extraordinary times. I applaud the effort of so many to keep us engaged using Zoom for services, religious exploration, chalice circles, the anti-racist book group, and other group activities.

Volunteers are vital to the life and spirit of UUFF and everyone is encouraged to share time and talent in whatever capacity they are able. As UUFF’s volunteer coordinator, I welcome your participation in any of the activities listed in the recent stewardship letter, or in other ways that fit with your interests and abilities. Feel free to reach out to me with questions or if I can be a resource in any way. Of course, financial contributions are also critical to UUFF’s ability to thrive, so all are encouraged to pledge as they are able.

I don’t know what my mom would think of me choosing a UU path, but given that she herself was a progressive-minded woman known to think for herself, I’m confident she would be happy that I have found a loving, open-minded, critical-thinking, and welcoming liberal spiritual home. Thank you all for so warmly welcoming Steve and me to this wonderful community and for allowing me to speak with you today.

Filed Under: Beacon, Gratitude Moment

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Come all you magical creatures and beings! Slip in from your dreams and wild places and join us in the liminal time of Imbolc! We are halfway between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox. Light is growing, seeds are stirring! Celebrate with us as we pour the waters of blessing and light candles to […]

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    Unitarian Universalist
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